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Empathy without borders: A guide to building bridges in international environments

By Aleksandra Ścibich-Kopiec – FERI Foundation, Poland & Katerina Zlatanovska Popova – POZITIVO Skopje, North Macedonia

Have you ever facilitated a workshop with participants from ten different countries? One person sits quietly, observing, while another speaks passionately with animated gestures. You find yourself wondering: How do I truly understand what each of them is thinking, feeling, and needing?

In moments like these, empathy becomes more than just a skill—it becomes your compass, guiding you through the complexities of human connection in multicultural spaces.

Understanding empathy: The bridge between perspectives

In today’s interconnected world, Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a vital skill that helps us navigate the complex web of human relationships, especially when cultures, values, and perspectives collide. It enables us to pause, listen, and connect — beyond words, borders, and stereotypes.

Among the five core components of EI — self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills — empathy stands at the heart of connection, allowing us to foster understanding, build collaboration, and create inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued.

At its core, empathy is the ability to recognise, understand, and connect with another person's feelings and viewpoints. As a psychological and social competency, it blends two key dimensions:

Emotional Empathy — the spontaneous sharing of another person's emotions.

Example: While sitting with a friend who just received fantastic news about a long-awaited promotion, you instantly feel their happiness and excitement as though the success were your own.

Cognitive Empathy — the intellectual ability to understand someone’s perspective, even if you don’t share their emotional state.

Example: During a group discussion, a teammate reacts defensively. While you remain calm, you recognise that their response comes from feeling unheard. By putting yourself in their shoes, you adjust your approach, acknowledge their viewpoint, and create space for them to express their thoughts.

In international environments, empathy becomes especially powerful. It allows us to navigate diversity, build trust, and collaborate effectively. Research in intercultural psychology (Arasaratnam, 2016) indicates that individuals with high intercultural sensitivity perform better in multinational teams because they effectively integrate their own emotions with perspectives shaped by diverse cultural backgrounds.

Empathy in a global context: more than a soft skill

As globalisation brings people closer together, differences in culture, values, and communication styles become more visible than ever. Whether in classrooms, workplaces, or community projects, diverse groups often face misunderstandings — not because of a lack of goodwill, but because of different ways of expressing thoughts and emotions.

This is where empathy transforms from a personal trait into a critical global competency. It is no longer just a “soft skill"; it's the foundation for building understanding, resolving conflicts, and fostering inclusion. International organisations increasingly emphasise their importance:

OECD – Global Competence Framework (2018): Empathy is essential for understanding diverse perspectives and engaging in open, respectful dialogue.

UNESCO – Global Citizenship Education (2015): Empathy lies at the heart of peace education, helping reduce tensions and nurturing solidarity across borders.

Council of Europe – Competences for Democratic Culture (2018): Empathy is recognised among the 20 core democratic competencies, vital for creating inclusive, participatory societies.

In other words, empathy goes far beyond "being nice". It's about developing the social and cultural intelligence necessary to work, learn, and lead effectively in a world where success depends not only on what we know, but also on how well we connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Four common challenges for trainers — and how to overcome them

While empathy can serve as a powerful bridge between people, facilitating workshops with international groups brings unique challenges. Different cultures, languages, and social norms can easily lead to misunderstandings, even when intentions are good.

Trainers often face what we call "empathy traps" — situations where cultural differences and personal perceptions make connection more complicated. Understanding these challenges and knowing how to navigate them can transform a potentially confusing session into a meaningful and inclusive learning experience. Here are four common empathy traps and practical strategies to overcome them:

Emotional Expression

In some cultures (e.g., Scandinavian), calm tones and minimal gestures signal respect. In others (e.g., Mediterranean), silence may suggest disinterest.

Trainer's Tip: Explain that a lack of visible reaction doesn't equal a lack of empathy.

Language Barriers

Participants may struggle to express emotions in a foreign language.

Trainer's Tip: Introduce alternative forms of communication — drawings, photos, symbols, or gestures can bridge the gap.

Social Norms

A friendly touch on the shoulder may show care in one culture but feel intrusive in another.

Trainer's Tip: Co-create a "communication code" with the group to establish shared comfort zones.

Different Views on Empathy

In individualistic cultures (e.g., the U.S., Germany), empathy often focuses on individual experiences, while in collectivist cultures (e.g., China, Japan), it's tied to group harmony.

Trainer's Tip: Highlight how both perspectives can coexist and enrich the group dynamic.

Eight ready-to-use empathy-building exercises

Overcoming the empathy traps described above requires more than awareness — it demands practice. Understanding the concept of empathy is essential, but developing it as a skill takes intentional, hands-on experience.

That's why the following exercises are designed to turn theory into action. They help trainers and participants strengthen empathy step by step, improve communication, and build deeper connections within international groups. These activities can be adapted for classrooms, workshops, and team-building sessions, making them powerful tools for creating inclusive and collaborative environments:

Mirroring Words" (focus on active listening)

How it works: In pairs, one person talks for three minutes while the other listens attentively, nods, and paraphrases — without offering advice.

Effect: Builds attentiveness and shows that empathy begins with being fully present.

"Cues from the Screen" (focus on Cultural Awareness)

How it works: Show short video clips from different cultures (e.g., a Japanese vs. Italian conversation). Ask participants to identify signs of engagement and emotional cues.

Effect: Highlights that silence or minimal gestures don't necessarily mean disconnection.

"In Their Shoes" (focus on Cognitive Empathy)

How it works: Role-play real-life conflict scenarios — for example, a refugee navigating bureaucracy or a student adapting to a new school.

Effect: Encourages participants to adopt another person's perspective and gain a deeper understanding of different realities.

"Silent Emotions" (focus on Non-Verbal Communication)

How it works: Participants express emotions like joy, frustration, or worry non-verbally, and the group guesses the emotion.

Effect: Builds sensitivity to gestures, facial expressions, and tone, which are often culturally specific.

"Empathic Modelling”

How it works: When a participant shares a personal challenge, the trainer models an empathetic response. Later, the group reflects on how this shifted the atmosphere.

Effect: Demonstrates the transformative power of empathy in group dynamics.

“The Empathy Journal” (focus on Reflection)

How it works: After a session, participants write down three moments when they noticed someone else's emotions and describe how they responded.

Effect: Enhances self-awareness and emotional intelligence through personal reflection.

“Creating a safe space”

How it works: As a group, co-create ground rules such as"“Listen without interrupting" ”No judgment,” and "Respect confidentiality”

Effect: Fosters trust, openness, and psychological safety within the group.

“The difficult choice” (focus on empathy + critical thinking)

How it works: Present a challenging case study — for example, whether a community should welcome migrants. Ask participants to explore both emotional and factual dimensions.

Effect: Develops mature empathy by balancing compassion with critical reasoning.

Conclusion: building bridges that last

Intoday'ss interconnected world, empathy is not just a personal virtue —it'ss a practical necessity. It forms the foundation of effective communication, meaningful relationships, and genuine global understanding.

For trainers and educators, cultivating empathy means combining knowledge with action: modeling behaviors, guiding reflection, and creating spaces where diverse voices can be heard and respected. The more we practice empathy, the more we equip ourselves — and those we teach — to build bridges where others see borders.

Are you ready to start building yours?

This article was developed within the framework of the Erasmus+ project"“Building Community Link"” (Project No. 2024-1-PL01-KA220-YOU-000256721).

References:

Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring Individual Differences in Empathy: Evidence for a Multidimensional Approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 113–126.

OECD (2018). Preparing our Youth for an Inclusive and Sustainable World: The OECD PISA Global Competence Framework.

UNESCO (2015). Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives.

Council of Europe (2018). Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.

Arasaratnam, L. (2016). Intercultural Competence: Conceptualizations and Its Development in Cultural Contexts